Landscape Tips
Here in Albuquerque, we use 40% of our drinking water on our landscapes. Unfortunately, most of that water is wasted due to inefficient irrigation systems. Below are some tips to help us be more Water Smart.

Below are some ways you can save water in your landscape today.
seasonal watering recommendations
Wondering how much you should water your plants during the summer months of June, July and August? Check out the watering recommendations below. To find out how to measure the depth you are watering click here.

service your irrigation system
How to Avoid Water Waste
- Check your irrigation system at least once per month and repair leaks ASAP.
- A broken sprinkler can waste as much as 16 gallons of water per minute. If left unrepaired, that’s thousands of gallons per month – the same as running your dishwasher 333 times!
- Don’t let your irrigation system water streets, driveways, and sidewalks.
- Don’t water when it rains! An automatic rain sensor can shut down your sprinkler system for you. Learn more about an automatic rain sensor.
- Irrigate only when your plants need it. Use a long screwdriver or soil probe to check soil moisture. Depending on the type of plant – roots can be 12” to 24” deep.

How long does it take to deliver 10 gallons of water?
- 2 minutes with a hose
- 10 minutes with a 1 gallon/min bubbler (GPM)
- 10 hours with a 1 gallon/hour emitter (GPH)

When should I water and at what time of day?
- Schedule your watering times. Keeping a watering routine is not just important for conserving water but it’s critical in training your plants to thrive.
- Water between 7:00 pm and 11:00 am when temperatures are cooler and wind speeds lower.
- Adjust your watering schedule as the season changes; to ensure your landscape is not getting too much or too little water.

Tips for Servicing your system
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